Cable connecter



July '27, 1926. 1,594,221

H. L. STRONGSON CABLE CONNECTER Filed Oct. 18, 1923 A 'swunumv gvwamtozHa/man Z 5fm/vyrofi Patented July 27, 1926.

UNlTED STATES 1,594,221 PATENT OFFICE.

HERMAN L. BTBONGSOII, F BROOKLYN, NEW YORK, ASSIGNOB TO THE THOIAB 0;SBET'I'B (30., OF ELIZABETH, NEW JERSEY, A CORPORATION OF NEW JERSEY.

CABLE CONNECTEB.

Application filed October 18, 1923. Serial No. 689,201.

This invention relates to cable connecters for use in anchoring electriccables or conduits to electric box fixtures, such as outlet boxes,switch boxes, cable boxes and the like; and is an improvement. over myapplication Serial Number 604,677, filed December 4, 1922, in that Iemploy, a screw or other rotatable member mounted in the connecter tosimultaneously perform the double function of anchoring the connecter inthe box hole and fixing the cable in the box hole.

An object of the invention is to produce.

an improved cable connector of simple structure capable of beingmanufactured at low cost and preferably comprising relatively few.parts, an object being to so design and construct the said connectorthat the parts thereof may be cast and readily assembled after whichthey are ready for use without further expensive manufacturingoperations. And likewise it is anobject to produce a cable connectorwhich is' simple and easy to insert in standard round knock-out holes ofboxes in present-day use, and which connecter functions to positivelyanchor itself as well as pressing the cable wall into direct contactwith the rim of the box hole thereby establishing good electric contactas well as a mechanical connection.

The accompanying drawing illustrates preferred forms of the invention,the structure of which may be suitably varied or modified withoutdeparting from the scope and principle of my invention.

Figure 1 illustrates a perspective view of an electric fixture boxshowing the connecter in anchored position joining a cable to the box.

Figure 2 illustrates an inside sectional view across the box showing theconnecter from the inside of box, the said connecter being illustratedin end elevation.

Figure 3 shows a cross sectional view taken on the line 33 of thedrawings.

Figure 4 illustrates a perspective disassembled' view illustrating thestructure of thetwo parts constituting my improved connecter.

Figure 5 illustrates the three major projections of the assembledconnecter.

Figure 6 illustrates a slightly modified and improved form of connecter.

Referring now more particularly to the drawings for a moredetailedfldescription of the invention, there is shown a cable connecterconstructed in the form of a sleeve 9 adapted to fit through a boxwalland having a shoulder bushing 10 at one endand made open at the otherend for the recepthe cylinder sleeve 9 as shown at 12; and

the enlarged portion is formed into a cylinder bore or cast opening 13.A stop or lug 14 is integrally made at the end-of the bore 13. The saidsleeve is rovided with an opening in the nature 0 a cam receiving meansand is designed to carry a movable jamming lock cam in aposition flushwith the internal and external cylinder surface of the sleeve 9. Thesaid gapped opening 15 is formed co-extensive with the cylinder bore 13and in fact becomes a part thereof, for the said bore 13 extendsoutwardly art way through the sleeve wall 9 thus ma ing the opening 15and bore 13 a continuous 0 en- .ing for the purpose hereinafter descried.

The said sleeve is provided with a wall entry or looking slot 16 cutthrough the wall thereof and extending part way through the sleeve, andthe said slot acts as a knock-out box edge receiving means by whichthereon necter is rigidly anchored to the box, and by which the edge ofthe box hole extends into the connector and pinches against the cable.This slot 16 is preferably formed adjacent the flange 11 and thus thesaid flange forms one wall of the locking slot and acts as an abutmentplate to properly position the sleeve within a box.

A camming device or sleeve moving member embodying means for moving thesleeve laterally to lock it in the box is rotatably carried in thecylinder bore 13; and this device consists of a shaft part 19 having anintegral handle 20 on one end and having an integral cam piece 21 on theother end. The shaft 19 is rotatably confined in the cylinder 13 withthe handle 20 disposed in line with the lug 14 which limits the movementof the handle in one direction, and the cam piece 21 lies within theopening 15. The

normal position of parts when the connector.

is not in use is such that the handle 20 rests against the stop 14 whilethe cam 21 as to its flat surface is disposed flush with the externalsurface of the sleeve 9. and thus the position of the handle 20 and campart 21 does not interfere with the insertion of the sleeve 9 within theknock-out hole of the box; and likewise the convex side or the cam 21lies flush with the internal surface of the sleeve which permits a cableC to be slip ed into position in the sleeve. The shaf t, the cam, andthe handle parts are all integrally cast; and after being assembled withthe sleeve 9, the upper rim or the eviinder 13 may be burred overslightlv to prevent the part 19 from falling out of the pocket orbore13. and yet at the same time the cam and handle parts are allowed freerotation within the cylinder bore l3.

In the use of the cable connecter to fasten a cable to the box, thesleeve 9 is inserted in the knock-put H of the box B in the usualmanner. and the cable end C is introduced into the sleeve at the sametime. and the cable is brought to rest against the shoulder bushing 10with the cable wires W irawn through the oval edged shoulder bushing 10which protects the insulation of the wire while electrical connectionsare made. The locking slot 15 is brought into registry with the edge ofthe knock-out hole H which causes the flange l1 and sleeve 9 to embraceor receive the knock-out box rim. and ;t is now observed how the cableextends or lies across the sleeve slot 16 and how the rim of the boxhole H is uncovered ind exposed to direct contact with the cable wallinside the connecter. The mechanic now grasps the handle 20 with awrench or rulers and gives it a substantially one-half turn which bringsthe cam piece 21 into a vertical position as shown in Figures 111(1 3:and the rounded edge of the cam part 11 cams against the knock-out edgeH or the box thereby forcing laterally or radiallv the cable connecter 9which causes the box edge to move with great force directlv igainst thecable wall C thereby biting and clambing into the cable C to establishpositive elec trical contact between the box and cable and tosimultaneously secure the cable to the connecter and the connecter tothe box. This movement of parts sets up an eccentric relation betweenthe box hole H ind the sleeve 9 thereby causing a portion at the boxhole rim H to move through the slot 29 and against the cable C which.irmlv establishes the slot 16 down over the rim or the box therebypositively anchoring the sleeve connecter 9 in the box knockout. Theconnecter is easily inserted and removed bv rotating the handle QO-ofthe camming member. The cam 21 may be rotated to maximum pressingposition so as to maintain a straight line position between the rim ofthe box hole and the center of the cable which prevents the cam :rommoving to a loosened position.

Figure 6 shows a modified form of the connecter which is made with asleeve :23 on one end and an abutment plate or tlahge 24 is formed onthe other end. The abutment or anchorage tlange :4 is integrally joinedto the sleeve bv an extension which isinerelv a continuation or thesleeve which spaces said abutment from the end of the sleeve a distanceequal to the thickness of a box wall. a shoulder bushing .25 is made onthe other end or" the sleeve and functions as a stob against which thecable C rests as well as providing an oval edged aperture through whichthe cable wires W are drawn to inaxe an electric connection in the box.1; Locking screw .56 is made with a conesnabed iam end 27. and the screwis carried in the rim or the abutment plate 24 and is adapted to travelalong and within a circul'ar depression 158 when the mechanic applies awrench or bllers to forcibly turn the screw :6 and thus drive it throughthe plate .24. The cable connecter shown in Figure 6 operates quitesimilar to the one already described and it is inserted in the knock-outbox hole H with its locking slot 29 lapping over or embracin the boxedge. The screw 36 or course is screwed back or nearly out or the olate34 in order that the said concshabed screw end .57 ill not interfereagainst the box xnoclrout edge while insert- ;ng the connecter. afterthe connecter and fable end C are broberlv located in the box hole. 118obeiator then turns the screw Z6 torwardlv which brings the coneshapedend 37 t'orciblv a ainst the irnoclt-out edge ll of the box therebvlaterallv or radially forcing the connecter SldeVVlSe Vltll reat fOlCQlllQll-P bv DlIlClllIlSI the edge -11 ihe box which by now me attainedan eccentric bosition inside the onnecter 111(1 oresses against the'zlhll? through he -ilOE J ind siinlilliineouslv anchoring the lDlG andconnector in the box. .hd fnalrin lirect electrical contact )etween :hecame and box is well.

aen 'lll nnccter hown in Figure is i'Ol llllY lltl itiew-ivs )lhilci'hllr iiong he or ill w. ring he box edge up through 'lic l'lilllfl' 10K 15!. l is ()DSOlYGll llilt :he said some 1;; will hedisblaccll from tho nter WY 218 XXX :iolc ii h b\' lending '0 care\IDJCQ ietwcen 'llQ Knock-out ex edge and sleeve. out such pace isatlcollzitt-lr o red aver rtnc ii the large siii'clltl- .ng iblitinenttlate :4. "fans the structure of he connecter adeouatclr overs over andseals the ")0X KHOClPOIlE OYDQlllIlL' YTTITNUYG of the position or thesleeve connecter Wltlllll the box. The connecter is made of few parts.

.1 significant :eature it this connecter resides ;n :he :act that thesleeve thereof :5 slightlv smaller than the box hole H Hill ilU

into which the sleeve is placed. Furthermore the slot in the sleeveadmits the box edge into the inside, of the sleeve.

ply means that the sleeve is received into the box hole and a portion ofthe box hole rim is received into the sleeve. Therefore the cableoverlies that portion of the box hole rim which is in the sleeve andanchors itself thereto, while at the same time the sleeve anchors itselfin the box by virtue of the sleeve slot having overlapped the box walladjacent the hole. Therefore no screws or screw holes in the box arenecessary by which to fasten the connecter to the box.

What I claim is a 1. Cable and box connecting means comprising, a boxprovided with a hole, a connecter member of such size as will fit intosaid hole, said member including spaced means abutting the opposite boxwall surfaces adjacent the hole to anchor the member in the box againstlongitudinal displacement and formed to expose a portion of the box holeed e directly to a cable placed therein, a rotata le member and meansmounting said rotatable member on the c-onnecter, and said cable and boxconnecting means and rotatable member including means cooperating withthe connecter to grip a cable between the latter and said exposed boxhole edge. I 2. Cable and box connecting means comprising, a boxprovided with a hole, a con? necter including a sleeve, said connecterbeing of such size as will permit it to fit into said box hole, saidconnector including spacedmeans which abut the opposite box wallsurfacesadjacent the hole to anchor the connecter inthe box against longitudinaldisplacement and formed to expose a portion of said box hole edgedirectly to acable placed in the hex hole, a rotatable member and meansmounting it in the cannecter, and said box and rotatable memberincluding means for moving said sleeve laterally rela tive in the holeto grip a cable between the sleeve and said exposed box hole edge.

3. Cable and box connecting means comprising, a box provided with ahole, a connecter member of such size as will fit into said hole, saidconnecter including spaced means abutting the opposite box wall surfacesadjacent the hole to anchor it in the box against longitudinaldisplacement and formed to expose a portion of the box hole edgedirectly to a cable placed in the box hole. a rotatable member and meansmount ing it in the connector, and said rotatable member includi an endso formed that when said i'neni turned it acts directly against the boxhole edge to laterally move the connecter relatively to the box hole togrip a cable betn'eemthe exposed box hole edge and connecter. I

i. Cable and box connecting means corn- This characteristic.interfitting arrangement simprising, a box provided with a hole, aconnecter including a sleeve, said connector be-. ing of such size as#will permit it to fit into said box hole, said sleeve including. a slotinto which projects the box hole edge to anchor the sleeve in the boxagainst displacement and to directly expose a portionof said box holeedge inside the sleeve to a cable placed in the sleeve, a rotatablemember with means rotatably mounting it in the slotted sleeve, and saidrotatable member including means which when turned acts against the boxhole edge toforce the sleeve laterally relative to the box hole to gripthe cable between the sleeve and exposed box hole edge. I

5 A cable connecter comprising a member of suitable size to fit intoabox hole and formed to expose a portion of the box hole edge directlyto a cable received thereinto and including spaced abutment means inbetween which a box hole edge rests to anchor the connecter againstlongitudinal displacement, and fastenin means for said connecter andcable, incfiiding a rotatable member mounted in the connecter, to gripa. cable between the member and exposed box hole edge and tosimultaneously force said abutment means into anchored position 6. Acable connector as defined in claim 5 wherein one of the abutments istoo large to pass through a box wall.

'7, A cable connector comprising a sleeve of suitable size to fit into abox hole and formed to expose a portion of the box hole edge directly toa cable received thereinto and including spaced abutments inbetweenwhich a box hole edge rests to anchor the connecter against longitudinaldisplacement, and lastenin means for said connecter and cable, includinga rotatable member mounted in the connecter, to grip a cable between thesleeve and exposed box hole edge and to simultaneously force theabutments into anchored position.

8. A cable connecter as defined in claim 7 wherein one abutment isspaced from the sleeve and and said abutment being too large to passthrough a box hole which places the sleeve on one side of a box wall andsaid large abutment on the other side thereof.

9. it cable connecter comprising a sleeve of suitable size to fit into abox hole and. having a transverse slot through which pro-- jects theedge of a box hole to grip directly against a cable and to anchor itsellwithin a box hole, and fastening means for said sleeve and cable,including a rotatable ineinber mounted in the sleeve, to grip a cablebetween the connecter and said exposed box hole edge.

10. A. cable connecter as defined in claim 9 wherein one side of thetransverse slot is ber of suitable size to fit part way into a box holeand formed to expose a portion or" the box hole edge directly to a cablereceived thereinto and including spaced abutment means in between whicha box hole edge rests to anchor the connecter against longitudinal dilacement. one of the abutments being too arge to fit through a box hole.fastening means for said connecter and cable including a rotatable partmounted in the connecter, to grip a cable between it and the exposed boxhole edge and to simultaneously force said abutment means into anchoredposition. and tool receiving means on the rotatablepart outside thelarge size abutment.

12. A cable connecter comprising, a con necter small enough to fit intoa box hole and leave exposed a. portion of the box hole edge, spacedabutment means included on the connecter between which a box dole edgeis adapted to rest. a rotatable member and means mounting it on theconnecter. and said rotatable member including means which when theconnecter is in position 111 the hole, coacts with a box portion to movethe connecter laterally with respect to the box hole to grip a cablebetween the connecter and an exposed box hole edge.

13. A cable connecter comprising. a sleeve. abutment means formed on thesleeve and spaced from the end thereof and defining with it a box holeedge entry slot. .1 rotatable sleeve moving member and means rotatablymounting it in the sleeve. said rotatable member including means which.when the connecter is in position in a cox hole, coacts with a boxportion to move the sleeve laterally relative with respect to the boxhole to grip a cable between the sleeve and exposed box hole edge.

14. A cable connecter comprising. a sleeve including a box hole edgeentry slot. .tbutment means on the sleeve spaced from said sleeve endforming one side of the transverse slot aforesaid. and a rotatablemember mounted in the abutment means. said rotatable member and sleeveincluding means. which when the connecter is in position :n a box hole,coacts with a box aortlon to laterally move the sleeve by which the slotis forced over a box hole edge to grip a cable between the sleeve andsaid edge.

15. A cable connecter comprising. a sleeve having a box hole edge entry=iot. abutment means on the sleeve spaced from the end thereof definingone side of Th8 slot. t "otatable member mounted in the *onuectel'opposite the slot. a. tool receiving means on one end of the rotatablemember. and said rotatable member including means made an the other endthereof adapted to engage a box hole edge to iaterallv move the sleeve:elativelv to the box hole.

.6. A cable connecter comprising, a sleeve having a box hole edge entrvslot. abutment means on the sleeve spaced from the end thereof definingone side or the slot. a member rotatably mounted 1n the abutment meansopposite said slot and including an engaging portion in position toreact against a box hole edge to laterallv move the connecter withrespect to the box hole. and said member also being provided with toolreceiving means bv which the engaging por tion is rotated.

17. A cable connecter adapted to simultaneouslv anchor itself in a boxhole and iasten a cable therein combrlsing, a sleeve adapted to restwith its end a ainst one side a box wall eccentric to said hole toexpose the box hole edge directly to a cable in said sleeve. an abutmentspaced from one end of the sleeve adapted to bear on the other side of abox wall. a cam and means rotatablv mounting it in the abutment. saidcam being adapted to worx against a box hole ed e to move the sleevelaterally, and a tool head made on the cam bv which it is rotated.

ii sable connecter combrising a memoer of suitable size to tit znto abox hole and formed '0 expose a portion or the box hole -ige irectly toa cable received therein. and including spaced means. ov which theconnecter .S guided and retained in a box. hole. while said means movein relation to said box nole edge. and a rotatable device mounted in themember and the end of said device being adapted to turn against andreact from a box hole edge to grip a cable between the member andexposed box hole edge and to sil'nultaneouslv force said sbaced meansinto anchored bosition.

A cable connecter comprising a sleeve suitable size '0 fit ll1[0 a boxhole and :ormed to expose a portion or the box hole edge direct-iv to it"3010 received thereluto. and including spaced means. ov which theconnecter is guided and retained in a box :iole. vliile said means movein relation to said box hole edge. and an operating device to impartmotion 0 the sleeve and spaced :ncans. :ncluding a rotatable membermountan :n The connecter adapted to bear directly against me box .iOlCed e. to grip a cable between he sleeve ind exposed box iiolo. 20 and toslmultaneouslv torce the spaced means lVQl the iox :iole edge and iirmlyseat ll? :lQPVQ 1n the 00X ilOlQ.

:0. flDlG- connecter comprising a sleeve ll' suitable 5120 *o dt .nto :1box hole and :iaving i ransverse slot 'hrough which pro- GCYS 'llLfCIL'Q "I ll DOX 10K 0 Qlln ditcctlv tgaiust 1 cable ind to tncnoi'itself within 1 BOX sole. and a rotatable member mount ed in the sleeveadapted to turn a ainst and lOO react from the box hole edge to grip acable between the connecter and said exposed box hole edge.

21. A cable connector comprising a member of suitable size to fit partWay into a box hole and formed to expose a portion of the box hole edgedirectly to a cable received thereinto, and including spaced means inbetween which a box hole edge is retained with the spaced means movablein relation to the box, one of the abutmcnts being too large to fitthrough a box hole, a rotatable part mounted in the connecter andadapted to turn against and react from the box hole edge to move theconnector laterally relative in the box hole to grip a cable between itand the exposed box hole edge and to simultaneously force said spacedmeans over a box hole edge.

22. A connector comprising a member suitable in size to fit into a boxhole and formed to leave exposed a portion of said box hole edgedirectly to a cable placed-therein, said connector also comprisin meansto anchor the member in the box ole and to simultaneously cause it togrip a cable against 7 able in size to fit into a box hole and formed toleave ex' osed a portion of said box hole edge direct .y vto a cableplaced therein, said connector also comprising means to anchor themember in the box hole and to simul taneouely cause it to grip a cableagainst said exposed bolt hole edge and including a device rotatablycarried on the member, and said device having an end portion adapted toengage against and react lroin a box portion at the edge of said. boa:hole to forcibly move said member laterally with respect to the box holeaids to a cable between the member and the exposed boa: hole edge.

In testimony "whereof ll alhx my signature this 26th day out Septv i923.

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